# Marriage, Family and Child Therapy State licensure requirements The University’s Master of Science in Counseling/Marriage, Family and Child Therapy (MSC/MFCT) program meets the licensure requirements in the states listed below. Review the licensure requirements listed under your state. [See below for important information about state licensure](#disclosures) ## California ### LMFT **Marriage, Family and Child Therapy** California has two levels of licensing: Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) For additional information see the [California Board of Behavioral Sciences](https://www.bbs.ca.gov/)website. Below are the steps necessary to apply for Associate Marriage and Family Therapist after graduating from the University of Phoenix Master of Science in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling (MSC/MFCT) program. **Clearances:** California law authorizes the Board to conduct criminal record background checks to help determine the eligibility of a person applying for a license or registration. As part of the application process, you will need to complete the following: - Fingerprint clearance must be obtained via [Applicant Live Scan](https://www.bbs.ca.gov/consumers/fingerprinting.html). DO NOT COMPLETE FINGERPRINTS MORE THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION. Live Scan results without corresponding applications on file are destroyed after six months. Additional information can be found in [Instructions for Fingerprinting](https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/livescan.pdf). - Evaluation of the applicant’s criminal history is part of the application process. See [Criminal Background FAQs](https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/ab2138_faqs.pdf). **Exams:** To become an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) or a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) you will need to take and pass the California Law and Ethics Exam and then take and pass the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy Clinical Exam. For study materials download the [Examination Candidate Handbook.](https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/580500.pdf) **Apply for Licensure:** Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT): - Order [official transcripts](https://www.phoenix.edu/student-resources/transcripts.html)for your counseling course work once your degree has been conferred and have the transcripts sent electronically to the Board at [BBStranscripts@dca.ca.gov](mailto:BBStranscripts@dca.ca.gov). - [Register as an Associate](http://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/mft/imfapp.pdf)and begin accruing hours toward the State-required post-graduate total. Before you complete the associate registration form, be sure to have the following so you are prepared to submit all items in the same package: - Submit[Application form](https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/mft/imfapp.pdf)and applicable fee. - Submit[Degree Program Certification](https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/mft/mft_cert_b.pdf), in the [application](https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/forms/mft/imfapp.pdf). - Complete three hours in the provision of mental health services via telehealth, including law and ethics related to telehealth (verified on the Degree Program Certification). - Complete six hours in Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention Requirement (verified on the Degree Program Certification). - Applicants should review information about the [90 Day Rule](https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/90day_rule.pdf)which allows applicants who graduated after January 1, 2020 to count supervised experience between the degree award date and issue date of the Associate registration number under the rule if the workplace required the applicant to complete Live Scan fingerprinting and IF the Associate application is received within 90 days of the qualifying degree award date. The Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) is the first level of licensure in California. To be eligible to apply for the second level of licensure, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), additional supervised clinical experience hours and official passing scores on the LFMT Clinical Exam and California Law and Ethics Exam are required.  For information on how to upgrade your Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) to the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) credential review the [Board’s ](https://www.bbs.ca.gov/applicants/lmft.html)website. **Stage Agency Contact Information:** [California Board of Behavioral Sciences](http://www.bbs.ca.gov/) 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S200 Sacramento, CA 95834 Phone: 916-574-7830 Toll free: 800-326-2297 [Contact Form](https://www.bbs.ca.gov/about/contact_us.html) This summary of state licensure requirements is provided as a reference tool for our counseling students and graduates. Every effort is made to ensure this information is accurate and up to date. However, as licensing requirements are subject to change at any time, you are strongly encouraged to regularly check with the state licensing authority (provided above) for licensure requirements. ## The program meets the licensure requirements in these states, however at this time the university is not offering the program in these states: [Alaska](http://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/ProfessionalLicensing/BoardofMaritalFamilyTherapy.aspx),[Arkansas](http://www.state.ar.us/abec/),[Arizona](https://www.azbbhe.us/node/838),[Delaware](https://dpr.delaware.gov/boards/profcounselors/marriage_newlicense/),[Idaho](https://apps.dopl.idaho.gov/DOPLPortal/BoardPage.aspx?Bureau=COU),[Illinois](http://www.idfpr.com/profs/MarrFamTherapy.asp),[Iowa](https://idph.iowa.gov/Licensure/Iowa-Board-of-Behavioral-Science),[Kentucky](https://mft.ky.gov/),[Massachusetts](https://mft.ky.gov/),[Maryland](https://health.maryland.gov/bopc/Pages/marriagetherapy.aspx),[Maine](https://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/board-of-counseling-professionals-licensure),[Michigan](http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-27417_27529_27538---,00.html),[Minnesota](https://mn.gov/boards/marriage-and-family/),[Montana,](http://www.bbh.mt.gov/) [Nebraska](https://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/pages/mental-health-and-social-work-practice.aspx),[New Jersey](https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/mft), [North Carolina](https://www.ncbmft.org/),[Ohio](https://cswmft.ohio.gov/get-licensed),[Pennsylvania](https://cswmft.ohio.gov/get-licensed),[South Dakota](https://dss.sd.gov/licensingboards/counselors/counselors.aspx),[Tennessee](http://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/health-professional-boards/pcmft-board.html),[Texas](https://www.bhec.texas.gov/texas-state-board-of-examiners-of-marriage-and-family-therapists/index.html),[Washington](https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/MarriageandFamilyTherapist/LicenseRequirements),[Wisconsin](https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/BoardsCouncils/MPSW/Default.aspx) [Top](#top) **The University has determined that its Master of Science in Counseling/Marriage, Family and Child Therapy (MSC/MFCT) program does NOT meet the requirements for licensure in the following states. Please click on the links below for State Agency Contact Information for the applicable state licensing board:** [Alabama](https://mft.alabama.gov/), [American Samoa](http://www.dhss.as/),[Colorado](https://dpo.colorado.gov/MarriageFamilyTherapy), [Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands](https://engineer-educators.com/northern-mariana-islands-board-professional-licensing/),[Connecticut](https://portal.ct.gov/dph/practitioner-licensing--investigations/professional-counselor/professional-counselor-licensing-requirements), [Federated States of Micronesia](https://hsa.gov.fm/),[Florida](https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/), [Georgia](https://sos.ga.gov/board-professional-counselors-social-workers-and-marriage-family-therapists), [Guam](https://guamhplo.org/gbahe/about-gbahe),[Hawaii](http://www.hawaii.gov/dcca/areas/pvl/programs/marriage/),[Indiana](https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/behavioral-health-and-human-services/behavioral-health-and-human-services-licensing-board-board/), [Kansas](https://www.ksbsrb.ks.gov/), [Louisiana](http://www.lpcboard.org/), [Marshall Islands](https://rmiparliament.org/cms/),[Mississippi](http://www.swmft.ms.gov/),[Missouri](https://pr.mo.gov/marital.asp),[Nevada](https://marriage.nv.gov/),[New Hampshire](https://www.oplc.nh.gov/board-mental-health-practice), [New Mexico](http://www.rld.state.nm.us/boards/Counseling_and_Therapy_Practice.aspx), [New York](https://www.op.nysed.gov/marriage-and-family-therapists), [North Dakota](http://www.ndmftlb.org/), [Oklahoma](http://www.ok.gov/behavioralhealth/index.html), [Oregon](http://www.oregon.gov/OBLPCT), [Palau](https://www.palaugov.pw/executive-branch/ministries/health/),[Puerto Rico](https://www.uscisguide.com/state-regulations-and-laws/licensed-professional-counselor-lpc-license-requirements-in-puerto-rico/#google_vignette),[Rhode Island](https://health.ri.gov/licenses/detail.php?id=228), [South Carolina](https://llr.sc.gov/cou/links.aspx), [US Virgin Islands](https://dlca.vi.gov/boardcertifications/steps/counselorrequirements/),[Utah](https://dopl.utah.gov/mft/), [Vermont](https://sos.vermont.gov/allied-mental-health/), [Virginia](http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/default.htm), [Washington DC](https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/marriage-and-family-therapy-licensing), [West Virginia](http://www.wvbec.org/), [Wyoming](https://mentalhealth.wyo.gov/) [Top](#top)